CAREER, CONTINUING

PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AND
PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY
• CAREER PLANNING Career planning should begin with an
assessment of self as well as one’s work environment, job analysis,
education, training, job search and acquisition, and work experience.
• Career planning includes evaluating one’s strengths and weaknesses,
setting goals, examining career opportunities, preparing for potential
opportunities, and using appropriate developmental activities.
• Career planning in nursing should begin with an individual’s decision
about educational entry level for practice and quickly expand to
developing advanced skills in an area of nursing practice.
• Even for the entry-level nurse, career planning should include,
at minimum, a commitment to the use of evidence based
practice, learning new skills or bettering practice by using role
models and mentors, staying aware of and being involved in
professional issues, and furthering one’s education.
• At best, it should include long-term career goals as well as a
specific, detailed plan to achieve those goals.
• What Is Career Planning?
• Career planning is a process for:
• Identifying what you are good at
• Knowing how your skills, talents, values, and interests translate into possible jobs or
careers
• Matching your skills, etc. to existing jobs or careers
• Matching your career goals to your financial needs
• Matching your career goals to your educational needs
• Making good decisions for yourself
• Finding ways to meet your educational and financial needs on your schedule
• Why Are Goals Important for Your Nursing Career?
• Setting long-term goals will help you advance in your career as a nurse.
Accomplishing these goals will increase your personal and professional
satisfaction and will also combat burnout.
• Setting goals for your nursing career can help you:
• Plan ahead
• Constantly develop skills
• Improve earning potential
• Feel fulfilled
• 15 Nursing Career Goals
• 1. Manage advanced technologies.
• There is only one constant with medical technology: it’s always evolving. Nurses working in medical
facilities often use technology, like portable patient monitors or telehealth services, to create, access, or
update patient files. Learning how to use these healthcare technologies—however daunting it may seem
—can benefit your career.
• 2. Get nursing certifications.
• Nursing certifications are helpful in all stages of your nursing career, whether you’re new to the
workforce or looking for advancement.
• Gain a competitive leg up on other candidates by earning a certificate in an area you’re particularly
interested in, such as first aid, clinical research skills, pediatrics, oncology, or neonatology.
• 3. Find a mentor.
• Mentors can be extremely useful when planning your professional
development.
• They can help you set goals, make difficult decisions, shape your professional
values, and grow in your career.
• While some medical facilities have formal internal mentorship programs for
nurses, you could simply seek out an informal mentor by asking a nurse you
admire out for coffee.
• A good mentor can provide context on the wider nursing industry, share
insight into their personal experience and lessons learned, and introduce you to
new nurse connections.
• 4. Advance your nursing degree.
• Advancing your nursing degree can boost your résumé, increase job
security, and help you make more money. If you already have an associate
degree in nursing, consider working towards a
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). If you already have a bachelor's
degree and would like to take on a leadership position in nursing
administration and management, consider earning a
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) specializing in leadership.
• Ph.D. in Nursing Education , Doctor in Nursing
• 6. Specialize in a particular nursing field.
• While nurses are often “Jacks/Janes of all trades,” it’s wise to become a master
of one.
• Maybe you entered the nursing field because of a particular personal
experience that resonated with you, such as losing a family member to cancer.
• Or maybe you’re a couple of years into your career as a registered nurse and
have realized you’re passionate about working with children.
• Either way, there are many different specialization roads nurses can walk
down in their career path.
• Consider the following types of medicine to specialize in:
• Ambulatory care
• Cardiovascular (care for patients with heart and blood issues)

• Dialysis (the removal of waste from a patient's kidneys)

• Gastroenterology
• Geriatrics (care for elderly adults)
• Holistic care
• Infection control and prevention
• Medical-surgical
• Neonatal (care for newborns)
• Neuroscience
• Obstetrics (care for pregnant women and new mothers)
• Oncology (care for patients with tumors)
• Orthopedics (care for patients with bone and muscle issues)
• Pediatrics or children's healthcare
• Psychiatric or mental health care
• 7. Take care of yourself.
• Nurses who practice self-care can ultimately perform their duties more efficiently and provide better care for
their patients.

• It’s multiple deliberate activities all humans should do for mental and
• physical well-being.
• While self-care is important for all, it’s especially important for nurses whose main job is caring for others.
• You must keep your tank filled up so that you can provide better nursing care.
• Examples of self-care include:
1.Mental: Meditate, journal, see a therapist, and practice positive visualization.
• 2. Physical: Eat quality foods, maintain a healthy weight, stretch daily, walk or stand more, and sit less.
• 8. Improve efficiency.
• Becoming more efficient in your day-to-day nursing job tasks helps create balance when juggling multiple
responsibilities.

• Efficiently completing tasks in a timely manner can create space for more responsibilities and career growth.
• Here are some strategies that nurses can practice to improve efficiency:
• Intention-setting: In the morning or the night before your workday, take a few minutes to write down or speak
out loud your intentions for the day. What goals do you have? What tasks will you accomplish? What habits will
you practice?
• Organization: Plan your day—including breaks—in whatever way works for you (Google Calendar, physical
planner, etc.).
• Prioritization: With many tasks constantly vying for your attention, practice prioritizing the most important
tasks first thing. Or, try structuring your day based on when you’re most productive and have the highest energy.
• Improve communication skills.
• Improving your communication skills is so important for career growth for nurses.

• Strong communication skills can boost health outcomes for patients and enhance relationships with co-
workers, patients, and families.
• Good communication skills for nurses go beyond written and verbal communication. Nurses who
actively listen are better able to care for patients, take direction from doctors, and be part of a team.
• Other aspects of effective communication include:
• Patient education
• Compassion/trust
• Cultural awareness
• Presentation skills
• Specialize in certain tasks.
• Specializing in certain tasks is important for career growth as it improves productivity and accuracy.

• Most nurses have a broad scope of responsibilities and tasks that vary from patient to patient.
• But it’s never bad to be known for doing one particular task well.
• Try earning a reputation for being exceptional for one of the following:
1. Administering medications and treatments to patients.
2. Collaborating within your team and across other teams on patient care.
3. Providing compassionate support to patients in need.
4. Operating medical equipment and technologies.
5. Educating your patients on managing their illness.
• Maintain work-life balance.
• Leading a balanced life can help you perform better as a nurse. It’s easy to fall into a workaholic trap and
take your work home with you, but this will result in burnout.

• Make self-care a priority by keeping your physical and emotional needs a top priority, and don’t forget to
have fun, too.
• For some selfless people (which many nurses are), making time for fun is actually a goal that can help
you further your career.
• you’re happy and healthy, it manifests as success in all areas of life.
• Become an advocate.
• A noble career goal for a nurse is to become a better advocate. Advocating can be for your patients, for
new policies at work, or for practices you believe strongly in.

• Nurses can help advocate for patients by guiding them through the medical system and providing
resources.
• For example, nurses can advocate for patients receiving chemotherapy with information on taking anti-
nausea medication effectively.
• On a larger scale, you could become an advocate seeking to create systemic change by addressing health
inequities and influencing health policy.
• . Become a mentor for others.

• Mentoring another nurse that’s new in the field helps you become a better nurse.

• Nurse mentorship programs provide mutual professional growth through a

supportive and ongoing relationship.
• As a mentor, you can help your mentee by offering emotional support, helping to
chart a career path, and providing guidance on the day-to-day.
• Ultimately, helping another nurse will provide you with fulfillment in both your
career and life.
• Participate in workshops, in-services, or job shadowing.

• If your workplace offers workshops, in-service classes, or job shadowing, you should
take full advantage of those opportunities.

• Nursing is a dynamic profession that’s always changing, and nurses must adapt to
new technology and policies faster than ever.
• These learning opportunities are usually free ways to expand your nursing industry
knowledge and further enforce your commitment to your employer.
• GUIDELINES IN CHOOSING A FIELD OF NURSING People have different motives for
choosing a particular field of nursing.

• The first consideration that nurses must make is SELF-EVALUATION.

• They can ask the guidance of more experienced persons.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN MAKING A SELF-EVALUATION
• 1. Qualifications – beginning positions in nursing do not usually require more than registration and a
BSN degree. Deans, CN, or Director of Nursing Service are required to have a Master’s Degree.
• 2. Years of experience & training - special areas like the OR, CCU, ICU, and ER require nurses who
have experience in these areas. Senior Nurse position do not require any experience and training but it
may help in the evaluation of their applications.
• 3. Age and Physical Condition – consider your age and physical condition. Most
employers prefer young nurses for beginning positions. On the other hand, older nurses
may feel uneasy to start anew in SN positions but may feel comfortable in admin.
positions if qualified.

• Positions in public health may require extensive evaluation.

• An elderly nurse may not appreciate the idea of exerting much effort in doing home
visits.
• Administrative positions will require nurses who are mature in judgment and decision-
making and who possess the educational qualification required by the Phil.Nursing Law
• 4. Emotional Stability and Goals in life – your own objectives and philosophy in life will
determine to a great extent the kind of field you wish to get into.

• FACTORS IN SELECTING A FIELD OF NURSING

• 1. Kind of work to be performed. Are you prepared for the job? Can you work under stress? Do
you get along well with people? Are you interested in it? What kind of skills are needed? Is it
hazardous?
• 2. Availability of the work. Will you choose a field of nursing that is crowded? Or where there is
a shortage of workers?
• 3. Hours of work. How many hours a day or week do you go on duty? Is your work rotated on
shifts? Will you be paid for extra hours of duty you will perform?
• 4. Qualifications. What are the requirements in terms of educational qualifications?
Experience? Training?
• 5. Opportunities for advancement. What chances do you have in being promoted after
several years of employment? Will they allow you to go to school if you desire? Are you
allowed to attend prof. meetings/seminars on official time?
• 6. Method of Entering. Do you need an examination to enter? Do you need someone to
recommend you 7. Earning. How much is the initial salary? The maximum salary? Is the
salary paid weekly or every 15 days? Is additional pay given for overtime work?
• 8. Fringe benefits. How many days of vacation and sick leaves are given? Maternity
leaves? Education leaves?
• 9. Other benefits. Are insurances, Medicare, retirement benefits provided for? Can nurses
participate in discussion of condition of work?
• Positions can be located through:
• • friends • magazines • newspapers • employment or placement services

• When choosing a field of nursing:

• • choose wisely and well
• • make a self-analysis and of the work you want to enter
• • money or salary is not the important factor
• • always give your best
• • enjoy the work
• • get along well with patients/members of the health team
• Resume
• Emphasize skills
• Used when applying for a position in industry, non-profit, and public sector

• Is no longer than 2 pages, with an additional page for publications and/or poster presentations if highly relevant to
the job
• After 1 year of industry experience, lead with work experience and place education section at the or near the end,
depending upon qualifications
• CV
• Emphasizes academic accomplishments
• used when applying for positions in academia, fellowships and grants
• Length depends upon experience and includes a complete list of publications, posters, and presentations
• Always begins with education and can include name of advisor and dissertation title or summary (see examples).
Also used for merit/tenure review and sabbatical leave
• A resume is a formal document that a job applicant creates to itemize their qualifications
for a position. A resume is usually accompanied by a customized cover letter in which the
applicant expresses an interest in a specific job or company and draws attention to the most
relevant specifics on the resume
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) is Latin for "course of life." In contrast, resume is French for "summary." Both
CVs & Resumes:
• Are tailored for the specific job/company you are applying to
• Should represent you as the best qualified candidate
• Are used to get you an interview
• Do not usually include personal interests
• If you are applying for both academic as well as industry (private or public sector) positions, you will
need to prepare both a resume and a CV.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) is Latin for "course of life.“
• In contrast, resume is French for "summary."

• Both CVs & Resumes:

• Are tailored for the specific job/company you are applying to
• Should represent you as the best qualified candidate
• Are used to get you an interview
• Do not usually include personal interests
• If you are applying for both academic as well as industry (private or public
sector) positions, you will need to prepare both a resume and a CV.
• Résumé Structure
• The following are the general guidelines for résumé preparation:

• 1. Keep your writing concise and clear.

• 2. Type the document in a single font format that is easy to read (12 point font or larger is
recommended).
• 3. Use bulleted points or sentences.
• 4. Include educational background, work history, awards or honors received, scholarly
achievements such as publications and presentations, and community service activities.
• 5. Do not include personal information such as marital status, age, whether you have
children, ethnicity, or religious affiliations.
• 6. Maximize your strong points and minimize your weaknesses.
• 7. Never lie or overstretch your accomplishments because doing so places your
credibility at great risk.

• 8. Use good grammar, correct punctuation, and proper sentence structure.

• Typographic errors suggest you may not be serious about the job application or
that the quality of your work will be substandard.

• 9. Use high-quality, heavy white, or off-white paper to print the résumé.

• 10.Include a cover letter (whether by mail or e-mail), addressed to a specific
individual when possible, to introduce yourself, briefly highlight key points of the
résumé, and make a positive first impression.

• 11.Know what you want to do so that you can tailor your résumé accordingly.
• In other words, identify the job you really want to have and then create a résumé
that around the qualifications you have to perform that job. Do include a
professional objective or goal statement specific to your desired job.
• 12.Know what recruiters are looking for. Look at sample job descriptions
online and note their preferred hiring criteria.

• Then create a résumé that highlights those qualifications and the work
experience you have that have given you that expertise.

• 13.Highlight your accomplishments. The average résumé receives less than

10 seconds of attention from recruiters so you need to make important
points stand out.
• PREPARING A PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO

• A professional portfolio, which all nurses should maintain, can be described as a collection of
materials that document a nurse’s competencies and illustrate the expertise of the nurse.
• McColgan (2008) suggests that portfolios allow nurses to assess their competence, complete
work-based reflection, pursue lifelong learning, create career paths, and pursue professional
development. McColgan concludes, however, that for portfolios to work effectively, nurses
and their employers must have a working partnership and jointly appreciate the value and the
opportunities that exist through personal portfolio development. S
• The professional portfolio typically contains a number of core components;
biographical information,
educational background,

certifications achieved,
employment history;
a one- to two-page resume;
a competency record or checklist;
personal and professional goals;
professional development experiences, presentations,
consultations, and publication
 consultations, and publications;
professional activities;

community activities;
honors and awards;
and letters of thanks from patients, families, peers, organizations, and others (Sherrod, 2007).
The individual needs to be selective in collecting best-work documentation and only include
those materials that illustrate competency and highlight achievement
•
Definition: A letter of application, also known as a cover letter, is a
document sent with your resume to provide additional information
on your skills and experience.

A letter of application typically provides detailed information on

why are you are qualified for the job you are applying for. Effective
application letters explain the reasons for your interest in the
specific organization and identify your most relevant skills or
experiences.

Your application letter should let the employer know what position
you are applying for, why the employer should select you for an
interview, and how you will follow-up.
• When writing an application letter you should include:
• First Paragraph: Why you are writing - mention the job you are applying for and where you found the
listing.

• Middle Paragraph(s): What you have to offer the employer - mention why your skills and experience
are a good fit for the job.
• Last Paragraph: Say thank you to the hiring manager for considering you and note how you will follow
up
• How to write an effective application letter
1. Specifically state what it is that you are applying for or interested in applying for (e.g., the position,
appointment, student or other visa, extension on a deadline, loan, credit card, etc.).

2. Identify the reason that you are applying. Be as specific as possible.

3. Give the reasons that you feel you merit or qualify for the position or object/thing you are applying for, if
applicable (e.g., your goals, experience, qualifications or accomplishments, positive traits, and so forth).
4. Identify what you hope to accomplish by sending your letter and the action you would like the recipient to
take.
5. Indicate the date by which you would like a response to your letter or by which you would like the action
to be taken.
6. Refer to any other documents you have included with your letter, such as
application or other forms, letters of recommendation, resume, examples of
your work, etc.
7. Include a request for any information you would like to be sent, if
applicable.
8. Include your contact information, such as e-mail address or phone number
where you can most easily be reached and the time(s) when you available for
calls, etc.
9. Close your letter by sincerely thanking the person for his/her time or for any
assistance he/she can give.
• PERSONAL INTERVIEW
• • An interview is a face to face conference between 2 people about something and gives
both a chance to assess each other.
• Its a two-way process • The employer is given a chance to assess the applicant’s
personality, alertness in answering questions, poise, command of the spoken language,
and the like.
• • The applicant is given a background of the institution, its potential as a working place,
its philosophy and objectives, and the working conditions.
• • An applicant sells himself/herself in an interview.
• He/she must convince the prospective employer that he/she is the BEST applicant for the
job. So prepare to make a good first impression.
• HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN INTERVIEW

• • Make an appointment either by mail or telephone.

• • Be at the place at the appointed time.
• • Know something about the institution where you will apply so that you can
answer questions intelligently.
• • Be at your best.
• • Knock before you enter
• Bring credentials such as your registration card, residence certificate, tax
account number and the like.

• • Ask questions about the job.

• • Thank the interviewer for giving you some of his/her time.
• • Give yourself time to think about the position.
• • If the prospective employer does not answer, you may write a follow-up
letter stating your interest in the position.
RETAINING A POSITION
Strive to retain a position once you’ve obtained it and be successful in that field.

Suggestions:
1. Have adequate knowledge and preparation for the job.
2. Have a well-developed personality
• 3. Develop good interpersonal relationship with your co-workers.

a. being enthusiastic in, and dedicated to your work and being sincere and considerate to
others.
• b. being tactful and dependable.
• c. developing ability to adhere to social amenities and being socially compatible.
• d. having self-confidence and be cheerful.
• e. offering help when needed
• 4. Develop proficiency in communication both in oral and written forms.

• 5. Be able to adjust to working conditions and to life patterns characteristic of particular occupations and
communities.
• 6. Keep abreast with advances in medicine, nursing, and related sciences by reading professional literature
and attending activities of professional organization.
• Cause of Failure –

• • Incompetence or the lack of the required ability and knowledge for the
particular job;
• • Poor interpersonal relationships;
• • personality defects;
• • Inadequate knowledge in social conduct;
• • Indifference to need for professional growth
• HOW TO TURN FAILURE INTO SUCCESS

• • Nurses who accept their limitations know their weaknesses, and those who try to overcome them are
more likely to succeed than those who do not.
• • Nurses should fit into and adjust to the position.
Be competent, take it with pride and do your best at all times.
• Continue to develop oneself professionally
• Be proficient.
• RESIGNING FROM A JOB

• • Primary reason is to seek better positions whether in the Philippines or abroad • Other reasons:
inability to adjust to work situation, marriage, children and/or transfer of family to other places.

• • It is suggested that you keep your position for at least two years.
• The first year is usually spent in adjusting to the position, and the second in helping them find the
field of specialty they want.
• • The advantages of leaving should outweigh the reasons for staying. Seek assistance in making
decisions, involve the family if it will affect them.
• • Talk with the employer if there’s an offer for a better position.
• Leave a friendly feeling towards superiors and co-workers
• • When accepting anotherposition, be sure it has more to offer in terms of salary, opportunity for
promotion, advancement or professional growth, and better chances of adjusting to the new position
than the present one.

• • A self-analysis may be necessary including the reason for transferring.

• Improvements may have to be made so that unpleasant traits may not be carried on to the new position.
• • Give advance notice. Give the employer enough time to get a reliever. A month is usually enough for
those holding Senior Nurse positions, and six months for teaching or administrative positions. - Leave
with a clean record.
• Clearances include non-liability from responsibilities.
• Do not leave in the midst of activities in the agency.
• Leave in the most gracious professional manner
• Write a resignation letter observing the following points:

• 1. Give the date of resignation. It is good practice to complete the month from the date the notice of
resignation is filed. The date is usually effective on the 15th or at the end of the month, for easy computation
of salary or leaves.
• 2. State the reason for resigning.
• Despite of unhappy employment experience, it is important to be courteous because the letter is filed and is
usually referred to when the need arises
• 3. Express gratitude for kindness and consideration given during the period of employment.
Express regret for leaving regardless of the reasons.

• 4. Attach clearance for money, work, and property responsibilities. Never walk off from a position.
This will make one liable for breach of contract or abandonment of duty, sometimes referred to as
“French Leave” or AWOL (absence without official leave
 Dismissal

Employers can dismiss an employee based on just and authorized causes.

Just causes are based on acts attributable to an employee's own wrongful actions or negligence
while authorized causes refer to lawful grounds for termination which do not arise from fault or
negligence of the employee.
• Fair reasons to terminate an employee's contract include:

• poor performance
• misconduct
• dangerous behavior
• refusing to follow instructions
• no further need for the position (redundancy or retrenchment)
• What is unfair dismissal?
• Unfair dismissal occurs when:
• there's no valid reason for the dismissal, or
• you haven't given the employee a warning or a fair chance to improve their
performance
• Another form of unfair dismissal is if the employer:
1.makes a position redundant
2.retrenches the employee
3.hires a new employee to do the same duties shortly after.
• Providing fair warning for dismissal
• It's important that you communicate well with your staff during difficult periods.

• While many people quote a 'three strikes' policy for fair dismissal, this isn't a legal requirement.
However, before you dismiss an employee, you should give them fair warning and a reasonable
chance to reach the standards you set.
• You might also offer extra training or guidance to help them improve their performance.
• You don't need to give warnings or notice if the employee has committed gross or serious
misconduct.
• Instant dismissal for misconduct
• An employee can be instantly dismissed for gross or serious misconduct such as:

• theft
• fraud
• assault
• being intoxicated, or
• refusing to carry out a lawful and reasonable instruction
• They should still be given a fair hearing about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
• DISMISSAL FROM A POSITION

• Reasons:
• • negligence
• • unprofessional behavior
• • malpractice
• • breach of contract